Outside the Black-Corner Region, Jia Nan Academy.
On a secluded peak within the academy grounds, a girl clad in a light cyan dress stood elegantly by the edge of a cliff. The breeze brushed against her waist-length indigo hair, causing it to sway gently in the air. Her dress fluttered, faintly revealing the graceful curves of her body.
Her calm eyes were fixed silently on the distant eastern sky, her expression serene like a lotus untouched by the world.
'Miss is thinking about that boy Xiao Yan again,' came a sighing voice from behind, aged and filled with helplessness.
To think that the pride of the ancient Gu Clan, their most dazzling daughter, had placed her heart on a young man from such a remote land. If the young elites of the clan knew, they'd probably be sick with jealousy.
'Eh, old Lin, you've seen that kid, right? Is he even worthy of our lady?'
'Seen, but only briefly. Didn't even exchange a word,' the other old voice replied gruffly. 'That boy just watched me fight and then ran off. Didn't even look back. What could I possibly know about him?'
'He does seem to have a decent teacher though. If his character is solid and he follows the right path, his future shouldn't be too shabby.'
'Hah, that's called being smart,' the first old man chuckled. 'You guys were fighting up there, and he's just a Dou Shi. Stay and die for nothing? Please.'
'Still... I didn't expect the Medicine Sovereign to still be alive, much less take a disciple.'
'To be accepted by the Medicine Sovereign, he must be an alchemist too, right?'
'He is. I sensed fire and wood attributes in his Dou Qi. There's no doubt he's an alchemist. But whether he can live up to that title... well, only time will tell. After all, our lady…'
'Let's not worry ourselves too much. Our main concern now is convincing Miss to return to the clan and awaken her bloodline. With her talent, the result would definitely be top tier!'
'Convince her? Have you ever seen her listen to us? Unless she meets Xiao Yan again, she won't budge.'
'Then maybe we should go kidnap the boy—'
'Try it, and she'll flay you alive.'
'...'
'Lin Lao, Han Lao.'
As the two elders bickered, the girl finally spoke up, interrupting them.
Two figures materialized from the void, one in black robes, the other in white. Both carried the aura of experienced Dou Zun experts.
Notably, the white-robed elder was missing an arm, and his aura was unstable — clearly wounded and not yet recovered.
'Lin Lao, how is your arm?' Xun Er asked softly, her clear voice carrying a trace of concern.
'It's fine, it's fine. Thank you for your concern, Miss,' the elder smiled cheerfully. 'Once I return to the clan, I'll have the elders help reforge it.'
'It must have been hard on you. I'll ask Father to personally help you restore it when we return.'
The white-robed elder stiffened for a moment, then knelt respectfully, eyes shining with gratitude.
Even the black-robed elder beside him couldn't hide his envy.
To have the clan leader himself take action — that was no mere favor. It was an opportunity to reach even greater heights.
'Thank you, Miss!'
'No need to thank me. You were injured because of Xiao Yan ge-ge,' she said gently, a blush tinting her cheeks.
'Lin Lao, how is Xiao Yan now?'
'I tracked him for a while after I retreated with injuries,' Lin Lao replied after a moment. 'He escaped quickly. That man didn't harm him. Though the Medicine Sovereign was gravely wounded, there was a Dou Huang protecting him. Safety isn't an issue.'
'What surprised me was that even though he failed to obtain the Heavenly Flame in the Tagor Desert, luck seemed to favor him. On the way back, he actually stumbled across another Heavenly Flame.'
'A Heavenly Flame?!' Han Lao was shocked. 'That boy's luck is outrageous.'
'Indeed. With help from a Dou Huang, he managed to subdue the Myriad Beast Flame, ranked twenty-second on the Heavenly Flame ranking. And he did all that as a mere Dou Shi. Miss, your eye for talent is impeccable.'
Hearing Lin Lao's praise, a faint curve lifted Xun Er's lips. Though she'd heard many compliments about Xiao Yan, each one still made her heart flutter like a young girl in love.
The two Dou Zun elders stared blankly for a moment — this was the only time she ever showed such emotion.
'Right, Han Lao. What did you find about the one who injured Lin Lao?'
'We have some leads,' Han Lao nodded. 'His name is Lin Ran. Eighteen years old. Taken in by the Three Scorpion Demons of Cloud Rain Sect at the age of three. Started training in Qi at that time. Broke through to Dou Zhe at ten after awakening a unique physique. Was declared the sect's Holy Son.'
'He's a Pure Yang Body,' Lin Lao added coldly. 'That kind of constitution is a treasure to those scumbags. No wonder they're raising him as a successor.'
'He's powerful, no doubt. Pure Yang Body paired with unique secret arts — even low-level Dou Zun can't defeat him.'
'Indeed. He broke through to Dou Zong at sixteen. Now, he's a seven-star Dou Zong,' Han Lao continued. 'He's battled the Soul Hall and Flower Sect. His strength is undeniable — he's invincible among his peers.'
Han Lao paused. 'A few months ago, the Three Scorpion Demons returned to Central Plains and planned to re-establish their sect's influence. Lin Ran was sent to the Northwest to build a branch — and serve as their contingency plan.'
Xun Er's expression darkened. Both she and Lin Lao fell silent.
An evil sect grooming such a terrifying genius…
'Hmph, lucky demons,' she muttered coldly. 'Even if he hasn't hurt Xiao Yan ge-ge, someone like him will definitely become a threat. At eighteen, already seven-star Dou Zong… that's the kind of talent even ancient bloodlines envy.'
She turned to Han Lao. 'Return to the clan. Speak to the elders. They'll know what to do.'
'Yes, Miss.' Han Lao bowed, silently mourning Lin Ran's fate. The clan would not allow such a threat to grow — especially not someone who might stand in the way of Xiao Yan.
'Lin Lao, what about Xiao Yan's current strength?'
'After absorbing the Myriad Beast Flame, he's now at the level of a five-star Dou Shi.'
'Amazing,' Xun Er said with a soft smile. 'Less than two years to go from an ordinary Dou Zhe to a five-star Dou Shi… If things continue, by the time the three-year promise comes, he might even reach Da Dou Shi.'
'I can't wait for him to arrive at Jia Nan Academy…'
…
The sun blazed above, casting golden light across the land.
On the small island cloaked in emerald Dou Qi, Queen Medusa slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze was dazed, her body aching as if every bone had been shattered. Even with the physical resilience of a Dou Zong and a magical beast, pain surged through her limbs.
She remembered everything.
'That damned human…'
'You dare!' With a snarl, she summoned her seven-colored energy into a snake-shaped sword and lunged at Lin Ran.
But as she moved, pain wracked her body, stopping her cold. And the moment her attack reached him, a calm wave of green flame erupted — devouring her attack into nothingness.
But she didn't care.
Even if she had to drag him to death with her, she would avenge her humiliation.
'Die!' she shouted.
Again and again, she struck — but her every move was blocked by Lin Ran's Dou Qi barrier. He sat calmly, cross-legged, eyes closed.
Finally, he exhaled and opened his eyes. 'So the imbalance of yin and yang really did destabilize the refinement process,' he muttered. 'Still, it allowed me to break through to eight-star Dou Zong… Not a bad trade.'
He looked at the furious Medusa and smiled faintly. 'What an unexpected turn of events. I originally meant to take it slow…'
Seeing his playful gaze, Medusa's fury erupted. She attacked again — only to find her strength suddenly gone. As if sealed.
'What?!'
A pull of force dragged her toward Lin Ran. Before she could react, she found herself once again in his arms.
'You're part of me now,' Lin Ran said softly. 'You evolved thanks to my Pure Yang Blood. Your strength carries a mark of my power.'
'You think that means anything?!' Medusa snapped, trying to resist.
'Calm down. I haven't forgotten our deal.' Lin Ran raised a map before her.
Medusa blinked. 'This…'
It was a full map of the Northwest Continent. A region she had explored for years.
'Pick one,' Lin Ran said casually.
'What?' she asked, stunned.
'Pick a place. It'll be your people's new home.'
Medusa stared at him in disbelief.
'You… mean it?'
'Of course. Just not the Jia Ma Empire. It already has a rightful ruler.'
'You're with their royal family?' she asked, suspicious.
'No. But the one who will rule that empire is already chosen,' he replied cryptically. 'Same goes for the Tian Snake Empire and the Chu Yun Empire. They're taken.'
'...' Medusa was stunned by his arrogance. But she didn't question it further.
Finally, she pointed. 'Here. The Mu Lan Empire.'
'Understood.'
'If you're lying… I will kill you.'
'I look forward to it,' Lin Ran chuckled, gently pinching her waist.
'Hands off!'
(End of Chapter)